2015-02-10

Yves Engler accidentally stumbles across a truism. I say this knowing Yves Engler will never intentionally express anything other than far-left bile.

Regardless, credit where credit is due, yadda yadda yadda.

Even the sad history of structural anti-Semitism in this country should be put into proper context. When Jewish immigrants were blocked from entering Canada so were most non-Europeans. Similarly, the land covenants that excluded Jewish property ownership usually took aim at other groups as well and throughout the university quota period few South Asians or blacks had any access to higher learning. During this period of institutional discrimination against Jews, Status Indians were unable to vote and the Indian Act prohibited First Nations from practicing their religious/cultural ceremonies (such as potlatches, pow-wows, sweat lodges and sun dances).

It would be disingenuous at best to claim anti-Semitism has or had anywhere near the effect of racism against First Nations or other people of colour in Canada.

The tough hate against Jews certainly hasn't had the impact of the soft-love towards the Red Indian. Of course, Engler doesn't fully understand why Status Indians couldn't vote: they belong on the reservation. That's what the reservations were for. They shouldn't be voting now -- at least, not if their tribe is involved in either "native self-government" or land claims -- so let's not get too worked up to learn they couldn't vote in the past. That's the ideal future as well.